April 29, 2020
Helping Your Children Manage COVID-19 Realities: Beyond the Facts and Into the Effects on our Lives. This webinar from the Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health by Dr. Anne Gearity, the leading Minnesota expert in child psychology. She consults with school districts and the juvenile justice system on best practices for children, and also maintains a small private counseling practice. I’ve had the privilege of meeting Anne. Just like in person, in this presentation she is approachable, and gives simple, yet specific advice on how to coach our children. The presentation is long, but very much worth your time.
https://macmh.org/publications/covid-19-resources/?fbclid=IwAR2Lp9A5LqGcIAHqXzAXGZgN8v3WR5HXBFeoN2_rqAHBoThGR57YSTY8B3c#1
https://macmh.org/publications/covid-19-resources/?fbclid=IwAR2Lp9A5LqGcIAHqXzAXGZgN8v3WR5HXBFeoN2_rqAHBoThGR57YSTY8B3c#1
The Child Mind Institute is an independent, national nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders. The Institute works to deliver the highest standards of care, advance the science of the developing brain and empower parents, professionals and policymakers to support children when and where they need it most. The have a special webpage, Supporting Families During COVID-19. In addition to general information and videos about helping children and teens cope, they also provide resources geared toward specific situations: children with ADHD, single parenting, and children on the spectrum. You can participate in two live-streaming sessions each day on their Facebook page. https://childmind.org/coping-during-covid-19-resources-for-parents/
From Natalie Freund
Mental Health
As we are all going through a lot our children may need some additional mental health support. Amaze is a local non-profit that has books and discussion packets on different topics for teachers that I have used in the past. The link below has some free webinars Amaze is leading geared towards parents talking through this COVID-19 time with kids. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zokaUvtKjDsG58FWzKhklW2n9k5_JD87ZXR0tqkMwg4/mobilebasic
Mental Health
As we are all going through a lot our children may need some additional mental health support. Amaze is a local non-profit that has books and discussion packets on different topics for teachers that I have used in the past. The link below has some free webinars Amaze is leading geared towards parents talking through this COVID-19 time with kids. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zokaUvtKjDsG58FWzKhklW2n9k5_JD87ZXR0tqkMwg4/mobilebasic
Thank You Notes
Target has 3 choices of free printable coloring page thank you cards. I am one who is a little picky on coloring sheets but I thought these were great. They all have really fun lines to color in and just a small space for a message which works well for kids. Target is putting them out as a thank you card idea for people helping in ways with COVID-19. I love thank you cards and we plan to send them out this week to a neighbor who works at a grocery store and we already sent one to my mom who gave my girls some activities. https://corporate.target.com/_media/TargetCorp/about/images/coronavirus/Target_ThanksColorPages.pdf
Target has 3 choices of free printable coloring page thank you cards. I am one who is a little picky on coloring sheets but I thought these were great. They all have really fun lines to color in and just a small space for a message which works well for kids. Target is putting them out as a thank you card idea for people helping in ways with COVID-19. I love thank you cards and we plan to send them out this week to a neighbor who works at a grocery store and we already sent one to my mom who gave my girls some activities. https://corporate.target.com/_media/TargetCorp/about/images/coronavirus/Target_ThanksColorPages.pdf
Window Artwork / Paint
There are a lot of great ideas of what to do for art projects ideas on windows. But, I am loving watching neighbors walk by and I didn’t want to lose out on any sunlight! However in our bedrooms we have some windows that face a little too directly to our neighbors. We never open the shades as it is just too close. I thought this one was amazing with painting a stained glass creation with washable paint and painters tape. We found it a little bit of work to get the tape on with a design. I thought at first we might do 3 windows like this one for each bedroom. However after we finished one with tape and paint my crew had a blast but was not wanting to do more as it does take some time. I am just loving the way it looks morning and evening. We actually made our window fully covered and we now never shut the blind at all as you can’t see in much at all. We did paint with black paint after it all was dried where we had the tape originally. It looks just gorgeous and it is so fun that we made it together. Many families have done this in a more central part of the house with a stained glass looking cross. https://www.craftymorning.com/paint-your-own-stained-glass-windows/
There are a lot of great ideas of what to do for art projects ideas on windows. But, I am loving watching neighbors walk by and I didn’t want to lose out on any sunlight! However in our bedrooms we have some windows that face a little too directly to our neighbors. We never open the shades as it is just too close. I thought this one was amazing with painting a stained glass creation with washable paint and painters tape. We found it a little bit of work to get the tape on with a design. I thought at first we might do 3 windows like this one for each bedroom. However after we finished one with tape and paint my crew had a blast but was not wanting to do more as it does take some time. I am just loving the way it looks morning and evening. We actually made our window fully covered and we now never shut the blind at all as you can’t see in much at all. We did paint with black paint after it all was dried where we had the tape originally. It looks just gorgeous and it is so fun that we made it together. Many families have done this in a more central part of the house with a stained glass looking cross. https://www.craftymorning.com/paint-your-own-stained-glass-windows/
Money / Coins
Kids today just do not in general have the same money knowledge that we did as kids. I buy really everything possible with my credit card. I noticed my youngest would forget what coins were called when we did get them out. I do prefer materials over workbooks and computer learning and this an easy math material as most of us have a pile of coins. Yesterday we worked on basics such as reviewing names, values and then I had her count the piles of money I handed her. She liked best when I gave her an amount and she needed to come up with the coins to make that value. We will keep doing coins as she liked it and we can move onto many other math concepts as well through coins. I found this site as well. With ideas for all ages involving coins. The ideas range from art to science to math. I loved the first one on the site as it contains art and counting coins together. https://www.playideas.com/25-fun-money-activities-for-kids/
Kids today just do not in general have the same money knowledge that we did as kids. I buy really everything possible with my credit card. I noticed my youngest would forget what coins were called when we did get them out. I do prefer materials over workbooks and computer learning and this an easy math material as most of us have a pile of coins. Yesterday we worked on basics such as reviewing names, values and then I had her count the piles of money I handed her. She liked best when I gave her an amount and she needed to come up with the coins to make that value. We will keep doing coins as she liked it and we can move onto many other math concepts as well through coins. I found this site as well. With ideas for all ages involving coins. The ideas range from art to science to math. I loved the first one on the site as it contains art and counting coins together. https://www.playideas.com/25-fun-money-activities-for-kids/
From Jo Schmidt
DIY Moon Sand
This recipe is an alternative to Moon Sand (or kinetic sand) if your child loves play-doh. It’s a different feel on the skin and sometimes more interesting as it can change densities. This recipe requires only two ingredients; baby oil and flour. However, there are tons of recipes that can add essential oils, colors, or things like glitter. This recipe is even fun for parents who like tactile relaxation methods. https://www.happy-mothering.com/2-ingredient-diy-moon-sand-recipe/
This recipe is an alternative to Moon Sand (or kinetic sand) if your child loves play-doh. It’s a different feel on the skin and sometimes more interesting as it can change densities. This recipe requires only two ingredients; baby oil and flour. However, there are tons of recipes that can add essential oils, colors, or things like glitter. This recipe is even fun for parents who like tactile relaxation methods. https://www.happy-mothering.com/2-ingredient-diy-moon-sand-recipe/
Handprint / Footprint Crafts
This option can be for parents or just an infant creation. This could be the perfect time to record your baby’s growth or what size they were during the 2020 year. For the children, it’s an enjoyable free for all to finger paint and customize when the painting is dry! Pinterest has some great ideas: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/269090146472534522/
This option can be for parents or just an infant creation. This could be the perfect time to record your baby’s growth or what size they were during the 2020 year. For the children, it’s an enjoyable free for all to finger paint and customize when the painting is dry! Pinterest has some great ideas: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/269090146472534522/
Baby-Wipe Container / Motor-Skills Box
This is something most families of infants have in their households, it’s something especially nice for babies who are learning independence but still requires close supervision. Asking your child questions about what they are pulling out will encourage communication and listening skills!
https://www.hellowonderful.co/post/baby-wipe-container-yarn-sensory-fine-motor-skills-activity/
This is something most families of infants have in their households, it’s something especially nice for babies who are learning independence but still requires close supervision. Asking your child questions about what they are pulling out will encourage communication and listening skills!
https://www.hellowonderful.co/post/baby-wipe-container-yarn-sensory-fine-motor-skills-activity/
April 20, 2020
Ideas for Parents & Families from Amy Ireland
Even positive changes are difficult for children – and the changes kids are facing related to COVID-19 are beyond difficult. Knowing how to help our kids can feel impossible. The National Association of School Psychologists has created a helpful document, entitled simply, Helping Children Cope With Changes Resulting from COVID-19. It has helpful information for grown-ups to help children from pre-school through high school. https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-climate-safety-and-crisis/health-crisis-resources/helping-children-cope-with-changes-resulting-from-covid-19
For my family, getting outside over the weekend was a huge mood-booster for everyone. If your family doesn’t gravitate outside naturally, an outdoor nature scavenger hunt might help. For younger children, try this Prayer and Nature Walk from Children’s Ministry Deals. It provides a short prayer to say as you find each item. Older kids might prefer this nature scavenger hunt from the “More Like Grace” blog (www.morelikegrace.com) that includes Bible verses and questions to ponder. You can download and print beautifully illustrated colored cards for each item in the scavenger hunt.
Ideas for Babies and Toddlers from Jo Schmidt
For some of our tiny friends, tummy time is a great activity to build up the muscles in their necks and backs. Some babies don’t care for tummy time, so some stuffed animals or a playmat may be helpful. This is a great activity for the parents as it is completely mess-free, no prep time and is excellent for your child’s development.
Here’s a link with more detailed ideas and suggestions for successful tummy time: https://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/week-13/tummy-time.aspx
Here’s a link with more detailed ideas and suggestions for successful tummy time: https://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/week-13/tummy-time.aspx
Homemade playdough is a nursery favorite! If you don’t have any playdough at home, this recipe is a good option. It is a no-bake recipe and is made from ingredients most families already have. You can add colors of your choice or keep it plain and simple. For extra fun, using kitchen toys or child-safe cookie cutters will enhance their play, it will also help with fine motor skills! You’ll find the recipe here: https://www.iheartnaptime.net/play-dough-recipe/
It can be hard to paint with smaller friends who have a tendency to put things in their mouths, butpainting with water is a perfect option! It works best with construction paper, but adding food coloring to plain water and using printer paper will also work. This project doubles as a sensory and fine motor skills activity. This project again requires little prep and no extra materials. If you don’t have any paintbrushes, fingers are the perfect alternative! Read more here: http://talesofateachermom.com/painting-with-water/
Ideas for School-Aged Kids from Natalie Freund
Khan Academy is a free website with multiple learning subjects. Our family has just used the math site so far. It has wonderful videos. It has very clear steps and is done with a man who has a calm voice that really teaches math well. It works for kids who are used to doing work on a computer. The site has work for younger kids too. However as most younger elementary kids are not used to doing work online they will need parent help. https://www.khanacademy.org
Manga High is another free website. You have to have login information to play the games, but they are all free. All kids really seem to like the math related games on this site. The games are well liked by teachers as well as they are really going over concepts and kids are having fun. It is used often at my kids’ school for 5-8 graders so we already were in the system. https://www.mangahigh.com
In the past my kids had wonderful things to look forward to such as birthday parties, sleepovers at grandmas, and getting treats at church. Now, though, I have been creating Special Days with small and big things for my kids to look forward to. When this first started of staying at home, I had each kid pick out an art project of their choice. We were going to do extra art for sure, but I wanted it to be special for them. My kids each picked out a project kit for purchase, and that made our spring break time much more enjoyable. For the end of April my kids have a Harry Potter LEGO set to look forward to. I have never bought my kids a Lego set – we just have lots of LEGO pieces to self-build. However I had always wanted to buy this for my girls. Lego kits are expensive, and we were so busy before that they never would have had time to enjoy it really anyways. I did not make these bribes but just something good that would happen in a certain amount of time. Behaviors are just going to be difficult at times, as we are living in a very different way. I will keep doing special days but most will not cost much. Next I will do a marshmallow/toothpick day. Where the whole family will build forts and whatever we like with marshmallows and toothpicks and eat many of course – a wonderful STEM project to look forward to.
April 13, 2020
1. Free animated Sunday School lessons, around 3 or 4 minutes each. It’s the “Deep Blue” curriculum from Cokesbury (Methodist publishing house) and includes Holy Week stories.
2. Get ready for VBS! Check out these VBS music videos for Knights of North Castle.
3. Family Pandemic Devotional. It’s similar to our Lenten at-home activity, but is spread out over 8 weeks and is imagined as a time for families to connect each day.
4. Story Time Live: Weekdays at 10:30 AM on the Saint Paul Public Library Facebook Page (search “Saint Paul Public Library”).
5. National Geographic Kids: Learn about all things nature!
